walking shoes and yet leaned heavily onher cane. Jonas tilted his head, wondering what she was doing out this early. Wondering where sheâd been walking to, and how sheâd even found them back there.
âI thought I heard voices!â she called, answering his last question. She neared them with a quicker pace than heâd expected.
Noah approached her, his smile wide. âCan I help you?â
âDonât you remember me?â She lifted her chin and gazed directly at Noah. âIâm Elizabeth Bieler from the fabric shop. FaithâHopeâs sisterâworks for me, and Iâm the one who let you borrow my quilt at the park last Saturday.â
Jonas cleared his throat. âIâm actually the one who borrowed the quilt. Hope took it home. I hope it was returned.â
âOf course it was returned.â She smiled. âIâve just come to inspect.â
Noahâs hat was still in his hand and he scratched his head. âInspect?â
â Ja , Iâve come to hear about your plans for the garden.â
Jonasâs heartbeat quickened. He glanced at Noah. âDid you tell her?â
Noah shook his head, and they both turned their attention to Elizabeth, waiting for an explanation.
âNo one told me.â Elizabeth leaned on her cane. âIâve been praying about it. Iâve been praying about a garden that would bring the community togetherâjust like our garden did in 1942.â The older woman jutted out her chin, appearing pleased.
Noah nodded, but in a way that told Jonas he was simply trying to appease the woman.
â1942, that was during the war,â Jonas said. âI know that many Englisch communities banded together during that time.â Jonas didnât tell the woman that history was his favorite subject. He waited to see what she had to say instead.
â Ja, and sometimes we can learn a lot from those whoâve gone before us, Englisch or not.â She lifted her cane and pointed it at Noahâs chest. âAs soon as those raised beds are in Iâd like you to tell Hope to come see me. Tell her I have something for her.â Elizabeth smiled. âA gift.â
Noah nodded, and Jonas could again tell that he was puzzled by this woman. Noah returned his hat to his head. â Ja , of course.â
The woman walked away, humming a tune as she did.
Jonas looked to Noah, and the man shrugged. âSo maybe Iâm not the only one who guessed that this garden is for Hope.â
â Ja , someone must be talking, but I suppose thatâs not my concern. Itâs my job to make sure the beds are in and to get the soil.â Noah pointed to Jonas. âAnd then itâll be your job to take care of the rest. You did promise to help, didnât you?â
Jonas nodded. He didnât want to seem too eager, but he had to admit that he was looking forward to spending more time with Hope and working with his students in the garden.
âJust as long as you donât forget to pass that womanâs message to Hope⦠when the time is right, of course.â
Noah nodded. âJa , I have a feeling Elizabeth Bieler will search us out if we forget.â
Jonas looked to where the woman had just left. âAnd Iâm eager to hear what the woman was talking about too. It sounded like that garden in 1942 was pretty important.â He shrugged. âIâd planned on tying in science and math to our lessons, but maybe there will be a chance to add in some history too.â
Jonas looked down at his sketch, wondering how everything had changed. Heâd gone from teaching school to now being part of this garden. And then there was his friendship with Hope. Tonight was the singing that he and Emma were going to attend with Hope. Jonas stroked his chin, wondering if theyâd make itthrough the night without Emma speaking of the garden. He knew his little girl, how excited and eager she was.